Plant Type: This is a
herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 80cm in
height (32inches). Smooth purple stem.Leaves: The leaves are alternate. There are two or
sometimes three much divided leaves. The lowest and largest has three petioles emerginging directly from the main stem which divide and
bear many irregularly notched or lobed leaflets.Flowers: The flowers have 6 Regular Parts.
They are green, purple and yellow. Blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into late spring. There are six petal like
sepals and six small petals. In loose terminal cymes.Fruit: Dark blue exposed seeds
resembling berries. Poisonous.Habitat: Rich woods.Range: From the
eastern edge of North Dakota south to eastern Oklahoma east to the north west corner of South Carolina and north to
Main. Absent in many areas within that range.
Color PhotoMore InfoClassification

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Most people who have seen this plant might be surprised to learn that
it has only two or three leaves. What appears to be many leaves is actually one large stemless, much divided leaf and
another smaller above that. Sometimes there is a third.

Medical Uses: Medical use of this plant was
widespread among Native Americans and it is still used by herbalists today. Perhaps the most common use among
aboriginal Americans was to promote childbirth, hence the Cherokee and other tribes referred to it as "Papoose Root" or
"Squaw Root. From one to three weeks before a woman was due to give birth she would take small doses of root tea daily.
This was thought to facilitate labor and make for an easy birth and rapid recovery. Taken earlier in a pregnancy the
same tea may cause a miscarriage and thus it might have been used to cause spontaneous abortions very early in
pregnancy and thus used as a contraceptive. R. R. McGregor states in his book Herbal Birth Control "The
Chippewas are said to have used a strong decoction for contraceptive purposes". Inversely, it is recommended by some
herbal practitioners as a uterine tonic and aid to fertility. It has long been used to regulate menstruation. (Erichsen-Brown)(Hamel/Chiltoskey)(Dobelis)(Foster & Duke)

In addition to the uses already mentioned a root decoction has also been use to treat rheumatism, bronchitis seizures, and
as an anti-inflammatory. The Cherokee would "hold root ooze in the mouth for toothache" and rub leaves on poison oak
rash. (Hamel/Chiltoskey)(Foster & Duke)

There are definitely active alkaloids and glycosides in the plant that might be responsible for many of the effects
attributed to this plant. (Foster &
Duke)

Warning! The powered root can be very irritating especially to mucus membranes. The seeds, which look like
berries and may taste sweet, are said to be toxic although they have apparently been used as a coffee substitute. (Grieve)

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One of the best general guides to wildflowers of the North Eastern and North Central United States. Newcomb's key
is an excellent, simple method for identifying plants. Newcomb has drawings for almost every plant mentioned that
are excellent aids to identifying the species. Though only the more common plants are covered this is often the first
book I pick up when trying to identify a wildflower.
Wildflo
wers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians
By: Dennis Horn and Tavia Cathcart and Thomas E. Hemmerly and David Duhl. , ISBN:1551054280

This is perhaps the best of many field guides covering this region. Featuring 446 excellent color photographs (located
with the text) and mentioning as similar to those illustrated are another 800 or so species for a total coverage of over
1,200 species. The start of each family section includes line drawings of some of the species showing important
features. The text includes the usual description, bloom season, range, habitat and additionally includes information
such as medical uses and lore and how the species was named. This is the official field guide of the Tennessee
Native Plant Society.